The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is poised to lead the Organised Labour in a two-day warning strike set to commence on Tuesday, September 5. The strike action aims to protest the Federal Government’s alleged mishandling of the economic hardships resulting from the sudden removal of the petrol subsidy, a move attributed to President Bola Tinubu.

Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their affiliates in Nigeria, initiated their dissent on August 2, vehemently opposing what they deemed “anti-people” policies introduced by President Tinubu. In their demonstration, they mobilized across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and various states, including Lagos, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Katsina, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kwara, Ogun, Imo, Ondo, and Edo.

The NLC had previously issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, urging an “immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies,” which encompassed the recent surge in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices, hikes in public school fees, and the release of eight months’ withheld salaries of university lecturers and workers.

Instead of accepting palliative measures, Organised Labour demanded a substantial increase in the minimum wage, seeking an adjustment from N30,000 to N200,000.

Although the NLC temporarily suspended the nationwide mass protests in August, granting room for further negotiations and deliberation, President Tinubu has not taken steps to review the minimum wage or raise workers’ salaries. This inaction persists despite earlier assurances, even during the election campaign period.

Rather than addressing wage concerns, the President chose to allocate N5 billion in palliative intervention funds to the 36 states of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory. The NLC firmly contends that palliatives cannot serve as a substitute for wage increases, which are essential to bolster the purchasing power of Nigerian workers in a time characterized by soaring prices and hyperinflation caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.